Underground Gardens

Fresno is home to a really cool attraction

The Forestiere Underground Gardens

I can't do this place justice with my description.

Please go check out the website!

It's crazy, right in the middle of town.

This is what you see on the outside. 

The roof is only about 6 feet off the ground.

This particular day it was 104 degrees at 10am.

But underground,

it's a sanctuary.

WIth 100's of fruit trees and vines growing vibrantly.

Underground people!

And only 80 degrees.

With no AC.

I was shocked at how NOT hot it was.

But more so than that, I was thrilled and pleasantly surprised with the beauty.

There were so many gorgeous angles.

So many stunning views.

My eyes were so happy.

Wordless details below...

My favourite picture from the day!

We were the first visitors from Kelowna!

We made sure to put a pin on the map.

If you have an opportunity to visit this unique spot, it is worth the trip!

Banmans + Obwalds = Fun!

We love our time with the Obwalds when we come to Frenso.

This time was no exception.

As the kids get older, they remember each other and have a great time.

Erin and Me and all our kiddos.

This girl!

We have had so much in common over the years.

It's pretty fun to both be homeschooling now!

We spent a glorious day catching up browsing antique stores and Joann's...kid free!

Speaking of the kids...

There's a lot of them!

And they have so much fun together!

Caleb and Cohl had to stick together with all the girls!

Check out the boys in the background.

Under the table.

On the Ipad.

Classic.

Such a crazy bunch!

Erin hosted a few of our other "old friends"

{we aren't old, but we've been friends a long time...right??}

and all their kids.

It was awesome to see Paula and Melissa and their growing kiddos.

Here the count was:

Girls-11

Boys-4

We had a morning out with Jen.

So good to be together. We pick up right where we left off.

Lifelong friends are such a blessing.

Missed Court and Gretch so much!

When Mike came for the weekend, we were back at the Obwald's house.

All over their pool.

Dads in the pool.

That's just the best.

We got married the same summer.

So many great memories with these guys!

I love this next generation of friends!!

Seriously the kids could not get enough of each other!!

Look at my happy boy!

It was an awesome summer with these fantastic friends.

Good Times With Grandpa Russ

We fit a lot of visiting into our Fresno days.  We love to spend time with my Dad.

Funny, a lot of our visiting involves food.

We do other things too, lots of chatting, watching THIS on youtube, lego building and this year Caleb went with Grandpa to work for a day!

Here are some of our fun times...

Tailgating in front of Rite Aid.

If you come from where I come from you know exactly what we were doing at the drug store.

If you don't, Rite Aid sells Thrifty's ice cream. 

The best.

Chocolate Malted Crunch.

Mint Chip.

Perfection.

The kids LOVE this tailgate tradition.

We enjoyed Round Table.

Sitting at THE round table.

Which my Dad had to fight some cranky old ladies for.

It was worth it.

They were cranky.

{sidenote: when I was a kid I cracked my head open at this same Round Table.}

Good times.

Gotta love this Fresno classic.

{Fresno State Bulldogs...get it, The Dog House?}

The guys love this place cause there are about 6,000 big screen TV's all over the place.

There is little chatting going on.

Just eating and watching.

{as you can see}

Thanks Grandpa Russ for another amazing visit.

We love you and appreciate the time we get to spend with you!

Grandma Camp 2012

I really love spending quality time in my hometown for a few weeks in the summer.

My kids love it too.

Grandma Bev really goes all out in the fun department.  Here are some highlights...

On our way....

{thanks to Mike for driving us all the way to California and flying home to work while we play.  It's pretty nice of him to prioritize for us to have this time with my side of the family.}

Checking out all Grandma's toys.

Grandma has the best toys.

A pool was a fun edition to the new backyard fun.

Maddie and Grandma enjoying the new backyard.

Caleb found a squirt gun!

These were a gigantic hit.

Like hours of fun.

Awe!

Grandma's bed is very cozy!

Crib...not so much but a good place to start out at night.

Bria at 8am having a smoothie in Grandma's backyard.

Caleb and his little pal Ginger.

Snuggies by the pool.

How many kids can You fit in a sandbox??

Taking in some tappers at the Farmer's Market.

A whole store devoted to cheerleading!

Lazy summer nights!

Fun times on Grandma's lap.

Disney Store dolls.

Busted.

Caught red-handed playing play dough in the wrong place...

Skyping with my brother to meet brand new adorable nephew Isaak!

Yogurtland and another amazing hot summer night at Riverpark.

People-watching and trend-spotting at it's best:)

Night time playground fun.

  The lights, the palm trees...it's so great.

Seriously, what is it about palm trees?  They are the best.

Big sisters are so fun!

{and extremely helpful when Mommy wants to sit}

One stroller, two babies...

Hula hooping for HOURS.

Posing baby!

More snuggies.

How sweet is this??

Trip to the movies; one of our traditions.

{the extra blonde is Devon, Mikayla's life-long friend}

Okay.

There are no words for these two pancakes.

How can I describe the YUM?

The one on the left is apple/cinnamon granola...in a pancake.

On the right? Triple chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

Crazy.

Batter Up..two thumbs up!

Touring all Grandma's "pretties".

The girls love hearing the stories about all her collectibles.

Many of them were my Grandma's or Great Grandma's!

Opossum.

With 7 babies.

Crazy.

Incredible.

Mom is nervous about the dog door + opossum.

And the now large population of creepy marsupials in the neighborhood!

Making wraps for days.

Food to go.

Gotta be prepared or In-n-Out starts calling our names!

Sometimes a little girl has so much fun she gets plain tuckerd out!

Thanks for the tuckering out fun Grandma Bev!!